Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The leader of one formation of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change on Monday urged members of both MDC groupings not to delay passage of a constitutional amendment needed to put a national unity government in place, warning this could lead President Robert Mugabe to dissolve parliament and call for new elections.

Arthur Mutambara, leader of the smaller MDC formation, said the opposition would be sure to lose such elections which he said would be held "under June 27 conditions," a reference to the deadly violence which ushered in the president runoff held on that date last year.

Mutambara criticized both the president and Tsvangirai for "prevaricating" on the formation of the government of national unity contemplated in the power-sharing agreement signed Sept. 15 by both MDC formation leaders and Mr. Mugabe ....